Where do I tie the strings???

[fred]

If there ever was a NEWBIE in anything anywhere anytime this is it!!!. I’ve searched this site as well as others and now know I’m undoubtedly the greenest one ever to post a question.

I have a kite and I know NOTHING about it other than I’m determined to fly it. The package it came in was labeled “Dual Control Stunt Kite”. Basically I have two questions: 1) where do I tie the strings and 2) how do I control it?

The kite is basically a triangle 44” across the base and 24” high (the kite is symmetrical along a center-line). Putting it together was no problem as it was “round holes and round pegs” that would only fit certain locations. There was a ‘bridle’ attached. This bridle is the same for each half of the kite. Each side if this bridle connects to the kite at three locations: two along the center line and one on the side. Where the three lines of the bridle join there is a ‘ring’ and also a ‘ring’ on the side where the bridle attaches. So there are a total of four rings; two on the kite and two on the bridle.

The kite came with two handles, complete with string,. Each handle has two strings so there are a total of four lines (strings). Do the two strings on the ‘LEFT’ handle attach to ring on the left side of the kite and the ring on the left side of the bridle? And the two strings on the ‘RIGHT’ handle attach to ring on the right side of the kite and the ring on the right side of the bridle? Or, do the two strings from the ‘LEFT’ handle attach to the rings on the KITE and the two strings from the ‘RIGHT’ handle attach to the rings on the BRIDLE? Or am I so lost that I’m helpless?

OK. Once I get the strings attached comes flying. I’ve seen several posts on how to launch and pre-launch checks so I feel confident I at least know what I’m suppose to do and how to be careful. But, controlling with four lines has me confused. I understand (I guess I’m right) right and left turns are controlled by tension on the side you want to turn to (pull the right side to make a right hand turn and pull the left side to make a left hand turn). Are the upper (bridle connected) and lower (kite connected) strings tensioned and relaxed for any controlling (or should both on a side always by tight or relaxed)?

Thanx to anybody who will take the time to help the helpless!!!

fred

[Dorsal]

Fred -

Do the "strings" (flight lines) on the handles have loops tied at the ends? Is the line around those loops thicker than the rest of the flight line? (In other words, have the lines been "sleeved"?) If so, great! Maybe.

If not, you'll need to tie loops at the ends of the lines, such that the loop, after tying, is about 6 inches long. Make the loops for all four ends exactly the same size, with exactly the same amount of loose line extending beyond the knot. Use an overhand knot (or thumb knot), as you see illustrated here. http://www.42brghtn.mistral.co.uk/knots/42ktmenu.html

You'll need to find an open area and lay out your lines to make sure they are all the same length (within 1/4"). The easiest way to do this is to hook all 4 loops over your kite stake and shove it into the ground. Then walk backwards from the stake, playing out the lines, until you reach the end. Don't have a kite stake? Shove a screwdriver into the ground, and hook the loops over that. You'll have to untie and retie the loops at the ends until they are all the same length when under the same amount of tension.

Then, get some heavy line (or shoelaces) and make 4 more identical loops. Trim them to exactly the same length, and tie them to the metal hoops on your kite, using a Lark's Head knot. also shown on that website. You want the overhand knot at the free end of the loop, after attaching them.

Now, when you're ready to fly, you simply attach the flight lines to the bridle and kite by making a Lark's Head in the line loops, and hooking it to the kite behind the knot in the loop you tied to the metal rings. You can go to http://www.prismkites.com/new-site/first-flight2.htm to see how to do that.

You will attach the upper line from one handle to the uppermost bridle ring, and the lower line from the same handle to the lowermost bridle ring on the same side of the kite. If the bridle ends are color-coded, that helps a lot. If not, once you get the lines sorted out, mark them yourself. Magic Markers or Sharpies work very well for this.

Hope that helps.

[fred]

Thanx Dorsal that really does help.

Moderator, sorry about the post location; I meant to post in beginner section of sport forum rather than single line forum.

f

[John Barresi]

No worries Fred, keep flying!

[fred]

OK, 2nd NEWBIE question. How much wind should be enough to keep a 44" by 24" triangular kite in the air. My partner (and wife) is convinced the kite is "to heavy" and I'm convinced we don't know how to 'go fly a kite'.

thanx,

f

[fred]

Update !!

I went to my second favorite source (the library) got the only book on sport kites and got some hints. I converted it to a two liner from a quad line system and was able to keep it in the air for about 10 seconds!!! (We thought that was progress if not a grand success). We did learn you should not fly in an old abandoned asphault parking lot!!!

f

[Penny Lingenfelter]

Yup, he's got the kite bug. Making heavy kites, duals into quads, quads into duals, flying in the rain, the dark... light wind.

Buy two kite tails and cll us in the morning.

I would suggest at least 5 miles to fly anthijng when your new. Even 7mph.

The old adage is; If grass flies, so do I.

Take a piece of grass and drop it.

If it goes strait down, pull out a no wind kite or toy.

If it floats foward a little, you'd need to move backwards a little or a lot.

If it takes off, so should your kite. Unless it's rigged wrong.

Other mishaps.. blaming the spouse for launching it wrong. It's not usually their fault.

Good luck, I got past all those obstacles and so can you!

BB

Penny

[Jorge Arellano]

Hi Penny

Quoting you: Other mishaps.. blaming the spouse for launching it wrong. It's not usually their fault.

This opinion is biased, because you are a woman, not fair to Fred, lol.

Have a great weekend

Jorge

[ant man]

OK, 2nd NEWBIE question. How much wind should be enough to keep a 44" by 24" triangular kite in the air. My partner (and wife) is convinced the kite is "to heavy" and I'm convinced we don't know how to 'go fly a kite'.

thanx,

f

whenever you get a kite of any kind rember to read the ownwers book and heavier kittes need more wind then lighter kites once you get some experence flying and buying kites youll know what you need and when you need it